Naresh’s Brave Pursuit of a Brighter Future
Meet Naresh, a tenacious and bright young man of 20, who, after completing his Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in July 2023, made the 950km trip from the remote Bajura district of the Budhinanda Municipality in far-western Nepal to Kathmandu.
Naresh, who has a form of palsy in his hands, completed his secondary education despite his partial disability and the fact that there was no road access to his village school. Finding himself in an extremely remote region of the country notorious for issues of poverty and severe health and nutritional crisis, with no local further education establishments capable of accommodating students with disabilities, Naresh made the 3-4-day journey alone to the capital to further his education and better his life.
Alone, and without support, Naresh started searching for colleges suitable for individuals with a disability and eventually found Khagendra Navajeevan Special Education Secondary School and College run by the Nepal Disability Association. Although Naresh had found an institute to study at, his family (who are in poor health) were unable to support him financially, and as such, he sought support through the Social Welfare Council (SWC) and local municipality government.
Although Naresh was able to obtain funding for his tuition fees, he found there was no support to cover his food and lodgings. Without any friends or family, he found himself struggling to survive in the busy city of Kathmandu. Consequently, due to its excellent reputation with the SWC and local municipality government bodies, the Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Nepal (our charity partners coordinating the operation of the Hope Centre in Nepal) were approached last year to help support Naresh.
Through our Lifelines Scheme, following an application by the DWA Nepal under recommendation of the SWC and local municipality government last year, New Futures Nepal agreed to fund Naresh’s food and accommodation for a 2-year period for the duration of his studies.
The DWA Nepal were also able to find another generous charity (Disability Rehabilitation Centre) to fund Naresh’s medical expenses.
Naresh is a bright and determined young man. He is thriving in college and his life is already looking brighter, with the SWC Nepal generously offering him employment following completion of his studies.
We recently heard from Naresh, who wrote:
“I wanted to let you know how much having you has meant to me throughout my stay in the hostel. Thank you for your great support for my studies in Kathmandu. My father is a simple farmer and he works in the fields. He does not earn much money. His working in the fields gives him enough to eat in the morning and evening times. He can’t earn enough money to pay for my studies in college or my hostel costs.
At this time, you help me a lot in studying in college, everything I need is easily bought, like copies, pens and other things too that I need in my daily life. In this city, my education is better than village school and I have learned many things. I understand to not have education in life no things are done because life is weak.
In the future when I am capable to earn then I will wish to help other needy persons, like me. I will always remember your help. Thank you very much for your everything.”
